Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

Priestess Liu’s expression had completely changed when the first fold of bank notes had appeared. She’d already murmured quite a few ‘yes’s and ‘absolutely’s as the fourth miss had been walking towards her. When the latter finished, the priestess nodded heatedly.

  “This nun can tell that the miss has a pure heart and spirit, and is as benevolent as she is kind. My heart is at ease that Jing Zhen will be by your side. I’ll make a trip to the Central Taoist Registry [1] to settle the certificate. I’ll be sure to send a message to you, miss, when it’s all done.”

  In this dynasty, one couldn’t become a monk or a nun just because they wanted to. They had to obtain a certificate from the Central Taoist Registry in order to validate their identity, and certain procedures had to be followed if they wished to once again resume secular life.

  “In that case, many thanks to the High Priestess.” Qin Yining smiled understandingly.

  “It’s no trouble, no trouble at all.” Priestess Liu was clutching the bank notes tightly as her eyes twinkled. Fine lines had appeared at the corners of her eyes from the force of her smile and she reached back to tug eagerly on Tang Meng’s hand. “This miss is kindhearted and is treating you sincerely. You can follow her in the future.”

  Tang Meng’s smile was a bit awkward, but she still nodded docilely. “Yes, master.”

  Priestess Liu tsk’ed when she looked at the bank notes again. “Look at this now. It’s as if I’ve gone and begged alms off you.”

  “Oh no, that isn't the case at all.” The duchess was gratified to see Qin Yining so generously settle the matter. “Even if that were so, giving alms is a way to accumulate our own good karma. Since my granddaughter is of the mind to, all it means is that her time to accumulate goodwill has arrived. Priestess Liu is the destined path through which she can do so. Exchanging secular goods for blessings of a lifetime… it’s likely that my granddaughter has received much more, if it comes down to a discussion of give and take.”

  “The elder madame is wise indeed.” Priestess Liu nodded with a smile and finally stowed the bank notes. She made a few hand seals and spoke in a joking tone, “I see that the roots of your hair have become overshadowed and sunken in. I’m afraid things won’t be too smooth at home lately. If I could take a look at your palm?”

  Qin Yining was amused at this behavior. The priestess has just gotten alms from me, so now she’s looking for a donation from grandmother?

  However, the duchess leaned forward with a smile and offered both hands. When the priestess had taken a careful look at the duchess’ palms, her expression became stern.

  “By the Great Qinghua! Elder Madame, please listen to this humble nun. There will be blood shed at your home within two months. Things look very dire.”

  Qin Yining’s brow furrowed slightly, and even the young man and his follower off on the side grew serious. The duchess’ heart skipped a beat and she asked hurriedly, “Where does this disaster come from? You just said that my roots are dark and sunk is, is it my lord…”

  The nun flew through another series of hand gestures, but shook her head with a sigh. “The wheel of time turns and so does fate call. If the elder madame has accumulated good karma normally, then your family might have a ray of hope. Otherwise, I’m afraid your family will be wiped out.”

  These words were simply too harsh. Qin Yining was beginning to doubt her earlier thoughts. Is Priestess Liu not just looking for another donation?

  Who would speak such alarming words if they were just begging for alms? The mere threat of bloodshed was enough to send chills down one’s back. Was there a need to speak of a family being wiped out? Has she really seen something?

  The duchess’ expression was tense. Her heart had been uneasy these past few years. The war between Great Zhou and Yan had been burning ever fiercer and inching closer to the capital. She felt that her family was rotating on a spit over an open fire, and that something would happen, sooner or later. When Priestess Liu had mentioned the threat of bloodshed and family annihilation during a time when the duchess was already treading on thin ice… she felt her heart go cold.

  She took a deep breath. “I didn’t bring too much silver with me today. But I’d like to commission the priestess to commence forty nine days of rites of peace and security for my family. I’ll have servants bring over two thousand taels of silver when I return home. May this count as accruing good karma for the Suns when I have the ability to.”

  Priestess Liu nodded and didn’t look quite as money grubbing as before. She smiled at Qin Yining. “Come here miss, let this humble nun take a look for you as well.”

  Qin Yining naturally wouldn’t protest and walked over with a smile.

  Priestess Liu first carefully considered Qin Yining’s face, squeezed her hand, and finally took a look at both of her palms.

  “The miss is one with great fortune. Although your life is hard, you were always able to resolve a good outcome out of threats. Your ears are higher than your brows, and you have an egg shaped face. You’ll have a life of fortune and wealth. In addition, you have a very good love line. The propitious star governing marriage has already started its movement.”

  The priestess actually snuck a glance out of the corner of her eye at the silently listening young man even as she expounded on Qin Yining’s palms. He seemed to not have noticed and continued drinking his tea silently.

  Meanwhile, Qin Yining was steadily growing more irate. Is this Taoist nun reliable or not?! How can she say things like that in front of others? She was definitely just putting on a show just now!

  Priestess Liu smiled and pushed Qin Yining back towards the duchess. “Elder Madame, your granddaughter is exceedingly kind and imbued with great luck. Perhaps your karma and hope lie with her.”

  “Many thanks to the priestess, my granddaughter is exceedingly good-natured.” The duchess wrapped her arm around Qin Yining and patted her hand comfortingly before getting up. “Since we’ve made our way here today, we must look around and pay our respects to Mother of the Great Chariot.” [2]]

  “Please do as you wish, Elder Madame and miss.”

  The smiling duchess pulled Qin Yining out with her just as a small nun hurried in. “Honored master, Lady Yurou has arrived!”

  Priestess Liu immediately surged to her feet and turned to her patron, whom she still hadn’t sent away. “Sir Patron, please take a walk with your follower."

  * * *

  1. A central government agency responsible for certifying and disciplining Taoist religious practitioners

  2. A goddess in Chinese religion and Taoism and the feminine aspect of the God of Heaven.

  Chapter 53: Prior Destiny

  Chapter 53: Prior Destiny

  However, the handsome young man still didn’t do anything. He didn’t even say anything as he sat there lazily, simply looking noncommittally at Priestess Liu. The stalwart follower was also quite at ease. He was hugging his shoulders and had lifted his chin, as if waiting for Priestess Liu to indicate her position.

  The priestess sighed. “When I have not listened to what my patron says? I’ll do as you wish.”

  At that, the young man finally stood up and fussed with his cloak for a bit. “Then I’ll look around for a bit.”

  Qin Yining had already followed the duchess to the yard and vaguely heard a resonant male bass behind her. She found it a bit familiar, but didn’t pay much attention to it since she couldn’t remember where she’d heard it before.

  “Grandmother, shall we go visit the main hall first?” Qin Yining asked merrily as she supported her grandmother out the moon gate and took a turn to arrive at the yard in front of the male hall.

  The duchess however, shook her head with a sigh. “Darling Yi, take a look around if you’d like. I’m a bit tired and would like to burn some incense for Mother of the Great Chariot.”

  “Then I’ll go with you.” When Qin Yining saw the weariness that hung in the space between the duchess’ brows, she forewent her ideas of looking around.
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br />   The duchess’ smile deepened when she saw her granddaughter thus. “It’s rare for you girls to venture forth from the manor. Take a look around! I have Bao-mama and the maids here to keep me company. In any case, I’ll be going back to the carriage to rest after paying my respects. You should go take a look around so that you make the most out of this trip.”

  Qin Yining was indeed a bit tempted, but she was also worried about her grandmother’s health. The duchess stroked her cheek when she saw the girl fretting. “Little girl, don’t be so full of concerns at such a young age. What could happen to me? Go visit the main hall with Miss Tang and come pay your respects in the temple later. That settles the matter.” She flapped her hand, shooing the girls away and taking Bao-mama with her to the temple.

  Tang Meng smiled. “Don’t worry, miss. I don’t see anything wrong with the elder madame’s body, so it’s just a worry of the heart. She’s merely worried about matters at home.”

  Qin Yining nodded. She must be worried about what Priestess Liu said. She didn’t know much about fortune-telling and the mystical arts, and frankly was rather skeptical of the whole thing. After all, that priestess had just said something about the propitious star of marriage being in motion for her! Qin Yining felt her face burn. Somehow, the memory of that lecher who’d arrived from the sky that day rose unbidden. He’d stolen her hairpin and even stroked her cheek!

  She frowned and coughed lightly. “Then let’s take a look around. You’re the one most familiar with the surroundings. Where’s the prettiest?”

  A laughing Tang Meng dragged Qin Yining behind her in a tour of the nunnery. Qin Yining was still wearing that crimson red, brocade cape [1] with a white rabbit fur collar. She was the only spot of color in the ink painting that was this winter’s day, in which everything was washed with shades of gray.

  Pang Xiao and Huzi had made their way into the open space in front of the temple just in time to glimpse the figures of Qin Yining and Tang Meng in the distance. The girls were slowly moving in the direction of the main hall.

  “Milord, who would’ve thought that we’d meet Miss Qin here today? Do you want to go talk to her?” Huzi grinned, as he winked and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “There was obvious meaning in the old priestess’ words just now. This is a perfect opportunity! Why not…”

  Pang Xiao looked disapprovingly at Huzi. The guard coughed and immediately shut up. His master remained utterly still, his eyes the only thing tracking Qin Yining’s fading figure. There was no one around them. Had there been anyone else, they would’ve felt the sharp air subconsciously emanating from the young man, at direct odds with his genteel outfit of white robes and gray fur cloak. The two suddenly heard approaching footsteps, and swiftly ducked behind a thick tree.

  The Duchess of Ding and Bao-mama had left the temple and were chatting as they headed for the main gates. “…granddaughter Yi is certainly mature for her age. Perhaps she already saw through the priestess’ test? If she hadn’t even been willing to give alms, then how could she have treated Miss Tang well?”

  “Aren’t you thinking too nobly of the priestess, mistress? This old servant feels that she’s just a money-grubbing person.”

  “That’s all a surface act. She might seem externally vulgar but there’s a sense of internal benevolence. Otherwise, why would she have taken in Miss Tang? That greedy, grasping attitude is just be an appearance…” The duchess and mama’s conversation grew fainter as they walked further on. Pang Xiao and Huzi didn’t come out until they were far in the distance.

  “Milord, this elder madame is actually rather perceptive.” Huzi was very kindly disposed towards the duchess. Pang Xiao nodded and retracted his overly keen edge after a moment’s meditation. He softened the ruthless look of violence in his eyes and relaxed his naturally upright waist so that he slouched slightly. This instantly changed him back into a lazy refined gentlemen.

  “Come, let’s go to the temple as well.” Pang Xiao set off at a quick pace.

  “Let’s offer some incense as well.” Huzi nodded. “The elder senior master and mistress, and elder mistress are all still in the palace, with no update on their situation. Hopefully the emperor’s anger will be abated if we handle this matter well.”

  Some worry appeared on Pang Xiao’s face when his grandparents and mother, “invited” to the palace for a stay, were mentioned.

  The figure of Mother of the Great Chariot in the temple was dignified and awe-inspiring. Pang Xiao and Huzi had both lit incense and were on their knees in the grand Taoist gesture of worship. The prince had prostrated himself. I beg thee, Mother of the Great Chariot, to keep my mother and family safe. May my sins fall on my shoulders only and affect not my family.

  With his forehead to the ground and in fervent prayer, Pang Xiao looked... fragile. Huzi, kneeling next to his master, felt pain lance through him at the sight. He was never far from his master and understood the prince’s troubles most deeply. Everyone only knew that the prince possessed great power and was a decisive killing machine, but who could see the troubles unique to him in his high position? The most tragic thing for a human was to give everything that they were, but to be misunderstood or denounced in return. Even his own family would lecture the prince for his ruthlessness at times, exhorting him to stop showing such blatant disregard for life. But who understood the prince’s helplessness in the matter? He really had no other choice sometimes.

  Creak. The door broke the solemn silence within the temple. Pang Xiao and Huzi both turned to see Qin Yining of the crimson cape and the little nun Tang Meng entering arm-in-arm. It looked like they were in good spirits, as Qin Yining’s particularly radiant smile, dimples, and merrily creased eyes were especially adorable.

  Pang Xiao was momentarily stunned before he whipped himself back around. His ears were bright red as he remained stiffly on his knees. His head was tilted back up to the goddess’ image and he seemed to be deep in sincere prayer.

  There were three prayer rush cushions arrayed before them. Huzi had been on the leftmost one, but he had risen and was standing off to the side now. Pang Xiao had occupied the center one, leaving the two on his side free. Qin Yining hesitated, but it was a public premise and she had no right to ask him to leave. She settled for ignoring the man and lit incense sticks with Tang Meng, taking the cushion on the right and closing her eyes in pious prayer. Tang Meng took the left cushion and also made the grand gesture of Taoist piety.

  Although Pang Xiao was still kneeling and hadn’t moved his head, his eyes had already flicked toward Qin Yining by his side. She looks so cute and fragile, but her destiny has been such a troubled one…

  She should be fourteen by now?

  He’d been her current age when they’d first met. The seven year old’s clothing was nothing more than rags, but were faded clean from all the washings they’d received. She’d been haggling vociferously with the shopkeeper of a medicine shop that her family apparently had a tab open with, but she’d been swept out empty-handed with nothing for her foster mother’s sickness. A shop associate had even pushed her roughly to the ground.

  He’d been watching from close by with Sir Zheng and Guard Zhao, and the guard’s snicker of schadenfreude had made him uncomfortable. He’d thought she’d cry then, she really did have a reason to, but she’d only stood up, dusted herself off, and stubbornly shouldered her tattered wicker basket, using her remaining copper coins to buy two meat buns for her foster mother. Even now he’d been unable to forget that pair of large and bright eyes in the small face. She’d patted her flat little tummy and put on a brave smile to tell her foster mother that she’d already eaten.

  He hadn’t been able to leave just like that and pretended to pass by her house, asking for a sip of water. The little girl was stunned silly when she saw him, taking a few long moments before crying out, “Brother Beauty!” and running off to boil some water. He’d handed his entire money pouch to her when he drank. There were roughly ten taels of silver and a handful of coins inside
. She’d been scared silly by the amount of money and wouldn’t take it no matter what, so he’d forced a supercilious, disdainful look on his face and sniffed that this was merely some loose change for pathetic beggars. He’d then departed in style under the baleful glares of Sir Zheng and Guard Zhao.

  The two men were his father’s old troops and complained angrily in highly charged voices as soon as they left.

  “Why did you help the enemy’s daughter?!”

  “That sonuvabitch Qin Huaiyuan deserves to die! That bastard’s schemes are the reason General Pang died from false crimes i! The general was carved alive into slices and fed to the dogs! None of the Pangs survived that tragedy…”

  Pang Xiao had been fifteen years old, a year into his military service after Li Qitian had found him. The now Great Zhou emperor had hoisted the banner of General Pang high and made revenge for this wrongful death a key reason for overthrowing the old emperor. However, no one had ever asked Pang Xiao if he was willing to participate. The army had just suddenly stopped outside one of his grandfather’s restaurants one day and carried him off… no one had even known that Pang Xiao himself was just the product of one of General Pang’s drunken nights. Possibly the general himself didn’t even remember the boy existed. And if the matriarch of the Pang household had been a kind soul, why would she have soundlessly swept Pang Xiao’s birth mother out the door?

  His life had been decided by others the moment he was born, and how was this girl any different? He’d asked Sir Zheng back then, “What does this little girl know? You all stole her away that year and put her through endless suffering all this time. Seven years of this should be enough! If you really have it in you, why not seek revenge on her father? Why visit agony on an innocent child?!”

  Sir Zheng had only responded with—the crimes of the father are the sins of the daughter. It was a fundamental disagreement in principles, and it wasn’t something that arguments could resolve.